Blossoms on a Withered Tree

Kevin Costa, Bellingham, WA

For nearly thirty years I worked as a speech-language pathologist in public schools, much of that time in classrooms serving students with moderate to severe disabilities. Many of these children were described in deficit language: delayed, limited, impaired.

The tree looked withered.

We created structure: predictable routines, shared attention, turn-taking. Language slowed. Teachers, assistants, and students formed a communication community where every attempt had a place. Then something small would happen.

A sound became a word. A gesture became a request. A student completed a line in a story. Laughter moved through the room.

Blossoms.

Years later, listening to a Zen teacher, I recognized the phrase immediately. I had been experiencing it every Friday morning in Special Day Classrooms.

Structure becomes the tree. Attention becomes the soil. Expression blooms.

stone circle

the growing echo

of a word

~Originally published in Frogpond 49.2, Spring/Summer 2026, p. 113.

The following is a short interview with our new Shuso, Juriki Samuel Senerchia and his moving, personal offering to us all.

Deep bows, Ikushun Desiree

Juriki:  As most of you know, I'm here with everyone temporarily before returning to California in a couple of months. I feel very grateful right now to just be in person--with the sangha, experiencing the many exchanges whether it's with Nomon, or the sewing group, or the Doan Ryo, or our community at the Wednesday or Sunday programs--I'm really soaking up all of the beauty--and all of the encounters with everyone.

Desiree: How did you come to land on the subject of your class offering--"Embodied Zen and 12 Step Practice?"

Juriki: This is what I am studying right now — this is what I'm in the middle of and, I'm very excited about — so, it was kind of a no-brainer to want to share it. I am really bringing to all of you my own personal experience.

Desiree: Were you surprised when Nomon came to you with this request to be our 2026 Shuso?

Juriki: Well, it was kind of out of the blue — but at the same time, we've been working together and talking a lot as I am sewing and preparing for my priest journey.  Last year, I was at Green Gulch Zen Center, and that was a deepening of my practice —and, although I had done many practice periods before, they are all deepening, more and more.  I spent some time at Tassajara also and remained in touch with Nomon throughout all. I felt very "accompanied" by Nomon throughout these practice periods.  Although I have long wanted to take this priest's path, Nomon has recently given me permission to do so formally.  This of course is a bit slow going, as a single parent, but that is ok — my primary practice is with my son — who happens to have turned 16 today!  As he becomes more independent, it allows me more and more space to turn towards my role as Shuso and my sewing/priest's journey and make my Zen practice more central in my life.

Having just come out of our first class today, I have to say that our first class felt so rich; I love the form of everybody having a chance to share; it becomes a process and not so intellectual, from one source, but it's more of a coming from our own heart/minds.

Desiree: I realized today, in our class how "anonymity" is different than "keeping things confidential" — our usual reminder in our small group discussions and/or our break-out rooms on zoom. This difference in approach is a very important distinction isn't it?--it gives more freedom by releasing self identity?

Juriki: Yes.  I think anonymity is a practice really.  It's kind of like generosity; it's a paramita.  It's all about attachment to self and moving into the place where I can be anonymous in this moment--to show up "free."  That's what the freedom of the Dharma is pointing us to:  I don't have to be a slave to "all my ancient twisted karma" that has happened and is created by myriad conditions that are way beyond my control — but in THIS moment, I'm free to respond forward.  Not that I'm going to make everything be the way that I want, but that perspective — that attitude can shift. It is all causal conditions.  A friend said, long ago, it is nothing other than causal conditions. I was hoping to point towards this today in class: We really aren't the "arbitrator" of the universe.  The universe is the arbitrator of us. It's what Dogen says when he says, "it's not the self that goes out to meet the world — the whole world is coming to the self and actualizing the self."  That's what no self is.  It isn't this fixed thing, this me, this me that has these problems, or this me that did this great thing, or... So, what you were noting [Desiree] about "keeping things confidential" — it's not about that.  There is no fixed self. That's what anonymity is. And, also, you're not the mistakes you made--you're more than that...you're not the wealth that you made...you're more than that...even the way that you were a hero for somebody once--it's more than that, too. You're beyond that.

Desiree: yes--the more that I feel the need to keep up my defenses because I feel misunderstood, or my way is right...there's no freedom in that...

Juriki: Our addiction to self is an ongoing practice. And to realize that there is no unchanging self that exists, that is where hope is restored.  There's a hope that I'll get my way and that is not what we're talking about.  There's another kind of hope that comes with the realization that I'm free because I have no fixed identity.  A hope connected to trust, and an ability to give something the time that it needs — and that is acceptance.  Acceptance is allowing that time/space needed — and we don't know how much that is--but we are just willing to give it--and that is generosity.

Desiree:  Juriki--Thank you so much for this wonderful taste of our explorations to come as we delve into our classes and time together.  This has been a great jumping off place and look forward to our continued practice!  

Note: Also, if you've signed up for this practice period with the Shuso, and have not yet signed up for tea, please take this opportunity to do so [here]

Volunteer Corner--

Join our Garden Party! Saturday, September 19th!

Please come join us in caring for the Sansui-ji temple garden and grounds, which were designed by our friend and sangha member Robin Kucklick.  For this work party we will be focusing on weeding the plant beds and walkways, trimming brambles, edging and mowing the grass and watering.  
There are some gloves and tools available at the temple, but if you are able to easily bring gloves, weeding tools, loppers, etc., to share for the light garden work it would be appreciated.
For those less inclined to work outside there will be opportunities for indoor temple cleaning as well.
We look forward to sharing this work practice opportunity with you.

More information and registration.

Sangha to Sangha News

Remembering Judy Daylen

Judy Daylen, our dharma friend and guiding teacher of Salt Spring Zen Circle, died on August 17.  She was a strong, dedicated practitioner who came to zen in the early 2000’s, and whose many talents were a gift to those around her.  

Those who knew her knew and experienced her kindness, warmth, clarity, dedication, generosity, and sweet-spirited way. Her dharma name is Choko Kangen, Morning Light, Generous Source.

Judy said, "I'm ready", and it was clear that she was. She gave everything she had to conscious dying with love at the core, often reflecting on how essential her Zen practice was in the process of accepting and letting go, so  her passing will help remind us of these twin processes as we, too, go forward.

Judy did not, as Dylan Thomas wrote, "rage against the dying of the light", she loved, and loved deeply, and joined that light even as her life force diminished.  Her clarity throughout, and her ability to sincerely say yes to death just as she did, was both a comfort and inspiration. We will miss her.

~Submitted by Seiu Hannah Sullivan

First Anniversary Celebration!

A few pics from our first annual Sansui-ji anniversary celebration on August 29th, 2026.

...What a joyful and lively gathering!  Happy Anniversary Sansui-ji!!.  And, for those interested--here is a wonderful slideshow in our YouTube channel about our 30 years of building community! 

...For you Dogen fans out there...a Dogen pillow!